Kai Havertz scores for Arsenal during their Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Ask any footballer who has had the privilege of playing there, and they will tell you that Anfield is one of the toughest stadiums to play at as an opposition player.
Though it remains a big weapon for the Reds and a reason to believe they can win any match at home, things have changed in the last couple of years, with Arsenal’s win on Merseyside this Sunday the latest in a lengthening line of Anfield defeats for Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola has won only one of his four Premier League home matches so far, and having already been beaten by Manchester City and Arsenal, the Spaniard has contributed to Liverpool losing as many Anfield league games since Jurgen Klopp‘s exit as they did during the German’s nine-year stint in charge.
Liverpool have a LOT of attacking options and someone has to miss out 👀 What front three would you select?
No he definitely isn’t. Way better output though, so I’m taking him!
But, as Liverpool's best front three it is Gakpo, Isak, Barcola for sure
Don't know the exact context of Richards' words, but Gakpo isn't exactly as 'electrifying' the other three no?
Anfield has lost its invincible tag
Prior to Sunday, Arsenal had not won at Anfield in the Premier League for more than 12 years. In that respect, they were probably due a victory, especially given their current superiority over Liverpool.
Nevertheless, it is a big concern that Iraola cannot seem to harness the power of arguably his biggest weapon, and, coupled with the loss against City, he has now been beaten in two home Premier League matches.
Arne Slot fared better, but the Dutchman also struggled to keep Anfield as the fortress it became under Klopp, losing four Premier League matches at L4 during his two years in charge.
Remarkably, as statistician Michael Reid pointed out on X after Sunday’s match, the combined six defeats of Iraola and Slot are already as many as Klopp racked up across almost a decade in charge.
Liverpool have now lost as many Premier League games in front of fans at Anfield under Arne Slot (4) and Andoni Iraola (2) as they did under Jürgen Klopp (6).
148 Anfield league games with fans in attendance under Klopp, 43 under Slot and Iraola. #LFC
— Michael Reid (@michael_reid11) November 1, 2026
READ MORE: Daniel Sturridge has highlighted a big Liverpool issue which was on full display vs Arsenal
Removing the six Anfield losses Klopp led Liverpool to during the COVID era of empty stadiums, the legendary former boss saw his team beaten only six times in 148 matches. Crucially, the reverses under Iraola and Slot have come in 105 fewer games.
Liverpool fans became so used to playing at Anfield as being a virtual guarantee of not only a draw, but most likely a win, that it feels strange to have that taken away.
There is no magic recipe for getting back to the old ways under Klopp, but it is clear that Liverpool have fallen some distance from where they were between 2015 and 2024. Even through the difficult moments of his reign, the Reds still found a way to keep their home form consistent. If Iraola is looking for a way to build a foundation to kick on from, making Anfield impenetrable once again is the best place to start.